08/12/1933 – 28/02/2026
John grew up in Surrey Hills and would travel to Wesley by train each day. He began at Wesley in 1946 in ‘The Twenty’, the form for new boys and scholarship boys. In that year, there were 36 students in his class, with W. H. Kennedy as the form teacher.
It was at Wesley that John realised he loved playing sport. Early in the football season, he received his nickname ‘Greenback’ from Graeme Embury (OW1950) (dec), because of the green jumper he wore to football training before Wesley jumpers became available. He was still called by that nickname by many OWs throughout his life.
From an early age, John consistently played football for Wesley and was a member of the First XVIII in 1949, 1950 and 1951. He also regularly competed in the Athletics team – in the Relay in 1947 and 1948, as well as 100 yards, 220 yards, long jump and hurdles in 1949, 1950 and 1951.
In 1952, John achieved a resident scholarship to Queens College and began studying Engineering at Melbourne University in 1953. He was a prominent past player at Collegians Football Club and a keen and involved supporter for many decades. John’s CFC record included being a Premiership player in 1956 B Grade, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, most consistent player in 1956, and runner up in the Best and Fairest in 1957. He was also the consulting engineer for the original Harry Trott Clubhouse construction at the northern end of Albert Park.
After completing Civil Engineering in 1957, John worked for the SEC in the Civil Design branch before moving to Mount Beauty to work on the Kiewa Hydro Electric Scheme, then the Yallourn Power Station. On his return to Melbourne in 1959, his career in civil engineering continued with Erik Kolle and Associates, then Milton Johnson and Partners, and finally with Doug Turnbull (OW1970).
John also consulted to the College as an engineer and was especially proud of the contribution he made to the upgrade of the Boathouse on the Yarra, particularly the ‘floating’ boat launching ramp which he always claimed was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. He was perpetually disappointed that the continual silting of the Yarra at the Boathouse site failed to enable the brilliance of his design to be fully realised!
He also used his engineering expertise to assist in many aspects of Wesley campuses, including the establishment of Clunes and the development of a maintenance program for the three campuses.
John was a very willing and substantial contributor to the governance of Wesley, serving on the College Council during the 1980s and 1990s, where he brought his vast civil engineering experience to the Council’s Property Committee which he successfully chaired for many years. Lex Hibbins (OW1953) (dec) was one of his co councillors for some time. John was also President of the OWCA in 1988.
More recently, he socialised with past College Council members and social pub lunch groups, and participated for many years in the Annual Cup Week trips with Wesley mates. John was a regular spectator at the Collegians Football matches until his declining mobility made it difficult to attend. He was able to attend the Tall Ships luncheon in December 2025 at the Boathouse.
John had four children: Fiona (past staff), Catriona, Kirsten and Ewen (OW1986) (dec).
He was immensely proud that Fiona served on the staff at the Glen Waverley Campus for many years. He was a wonderful contributor to the life and wellbeing of Wesley and Collegians, and lived a full, vibrant life. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Contributed by Fiona Van Munnen (Gellie) (past staff) and Kirsten Gellie
